My Favorite Movies Journal

The movies--what a wonderful way to spend an afternoon! I love going to the movies. When I thought about why I look forward to going to a movie, I realized it was like meditation for me. The only thing that was on my mind was what was in front of me on the screen. I am in the moment when I am at a movie.

Remember the movie "Harold and Maude"? Although this was decades ago, I remember it well. I started to cry during the movie and did not stop until late that night. This movie brought up so many feelings for me. I identified with Harold. I identified with Maude. I identified with what made each of them different from most people, yet so similar to each other.

Movies are a wonderful vehicle from which we can learn and feel. We can see more about ourselves and the world that surrounds us through movies. We can consider how we might handle the same situations we just watched in a movie. What we would have done differently, and done the same.

A great way to enhance your movie experience is to keep a "Favorite Movies" journal. You can use a blank book, one that you use only for your favorite movies or add your movie favorites to your existing journal entries. Write down the movie title, the date you saw it and with whom you went. You can even paste your ticket stub into your journal next to the title. Journal if you connected with the characters, what you learned and took away from each and what your feelings were.

Movies entertain us, but they can also teach us. What did you learn about yourself? Others? The world?

Did you hear a memorable line, like: "I'll be back" from the movie "Terminator" with Arnold Schwartzenegger or "God put you in my path" from the movie "The Four Feathers"?

Was there a memorable scene? Did it move you? Why?

Would you rewrite the ending? If so, why and what would it be?

When you keep a journal of your favorite movies, your movie experience can continue long after the popcorn is gone and the lights are back on.

Copyright 1999 - 2003 Doreene Clement All Rights Reserved Doreene Clement is the creator of, The 5 Year Journal, a journal where you can journal your life in one book for 5 years. You can tour the book at http://www.the5yearjournal.com

dkcomni@aol.com 480.423.8095

Feel free to pass this along to your friends. If you want to see my column, About Journaling, to subscribe http://www.the5yearjournal.com

In The News:

Yahoo! News: Top Stories

Palestinians pray over the bodies of  people killed near a United Nations school Tuesday, during their funeral in the Jebaliya refugee camp, in the northern Gaza Strip, Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2009. Israel's military paused its Gaza offensive for three hours Wednesday to allow food and fuel to reach besieged Palestinians, and the country's leaders debated whether to accept an international cease-fire plan or expand the assault against Hamas. With criticism rising of the operation's spiraling civilian death toll and Gazans increasingly suffering the effects of nonstop airstrikes and shelling, Israel's military said it opened 'humanitarian corridors' to allow aid supplies to reach Palestinians.(AP Photo/Hatem Moussa)AP - Israel resumed its Gaza offensive Wednesday, bombing heavily around suspected smuggling tunnels near the border with Egypt after a three-hour lull to allow in humanitarian aid. Hamas responded with a rocket barrage.



People looks for jobs in front of computer screens at the California Employment Development Department in Sunnyvale, Calif., Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2009. The country lost nearly 2 million jobs through November and more bad news is expected this week when the government releases data on weekly jobless claims and December unemployment. No matter how bad those numbers are, and economists expect at least another 500,000 jobs were lost last month, the pain is stretching into 2009. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)AP - Pink slips are piling higher as companies scramble to cut costs even deeper to survive the country's economic and financial storms.



President-elect Barack Obama gestures during a news conference at his transition office in Washington, Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2009, where he introduced Nancy Killefer, right, to the newly created position of chief performance officer. (AP Photo/Lawrence Jackson)AP - Pointing with concern to "red ink as far as the eye can see," President-elect Barack Obama pledged Wednesday to tackle out-of-control Social Security and Medicare spending and named a special watchdog to clamp down on other federal programs — even as he campaigned anew to spend the largest pile of taxpayer money in history to revive the sinking economy.



Illinois U.S. Senate Appointee Roland Burris, left, meets with Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nev., Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2009, on Capitol Hill in Washington. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)AP - Senate Democrats beat a hasty retreat Wednesday from their rejection of Roland Burris as President-elect Barack Obama's successor, yielding to pressure from Obama himself and from senators irked that the standoff was draining attention and putting them in a bad light. Burris said with a smile he expected to join them "very shortly."



Protesters yell during a demonstration against the shooting death of Oscar Grant at the Fruitvale BART station in Oakland, Calif., Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2009. Grant was shot and killed by a police officer after an altercation on a BART train station platform in Oakland on New Year's Day.  (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)AP - Protests over the fatal shooting of an unarmed man by a Bay Area Rapid Transit police officer turned violent Wednesday night with windows broken, fires set and train stations closed.



President-elect Barack Obama is welcomed by President George W. Bush for a meeting at the White House in Washington, Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2009, with former presidents, from left, George H.W. Bush, Bill  Clinton, and Jimmy Carter.  (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)AP - Confronting a grim economy and a Middle East on fire, Barack Obama turned Wednesday to perhaps the only people on the planet who understand what he's in for: the four living members of the U.S. presidents' club.



In this photo provided by the Washington State Department of Transportation, water rushes past a washed out road near Blewett Pass on U.S. highway 97 in Washington State on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2009 in Washington State. (AP Photo/Washington State Department of Transportation)AP - Rain and high winds lashed Washington state Wednesday, causing widespread avalanches, mudslides, flooding and road closures as the heavy snowfall that has buried parts of the state began to rapidly melt.



Workers put bulletproof glass on President-elect Barack Obama's Inaugural Reviewing Stand on Pennsylvania Avenue in front of the White House in Washington, Monday, Jan. 5, 2009. (AP Photo/Ron Edmonds)AP - The upcoming inauguration of Barack Obama is an attractive target for international and domestic terrorists, but U.S. intelligence officials have no information about specific threats to the Jan. 20 event.



Christian Bale accepts the favorite action movie award for 'The Dark Knight' at the 35th Annual People's Choice Awards on Wednesday Jan. 7, 2009 in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Matt Sayles)AP - Holy People's Choice Awards, Batman!



Harvard's Jeremy Lin (4) drives for the basket in front of Boston College's Rakim Sanders in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2009, in Boston. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)AP - Jeremy Lin scored 27 points to lead Harvard to an 82-70 upset over No. 17 Boston College on Wednesday night, three days after the Eagles upset previously top-ranked North Carolina.



An Israeli soldier stands next to blindfolded Palestinian prisoners after they were arrested during an Israeli military operation in the northern Gaza Strip January 7, 2009, in this picture released by the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF). U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said on Wednesday she had pressed Israel to seriously consider an Egyptian ceasefire plan as the U.N. Security Council weighed action to end Israel's attack on Gaza. (IDF/Handout/Reuters)Reuters - Israeli warplanes bombed targets across the Gaza Strip on Thursday and tanks advanced on Palestinian guerrillas as U.S. backing for a truce proposal raised expectations of an end to the offensive.



President-elect Barack Obama listens to a question from the media following a meeting with members of his future cabinet and economic advisors at his transition office in Washington, January 6, 2009. (Jason Reed/Reuters)Reuters - President-elect Barack Obama will call for quick action on a fiscal stimulus package in a speech on Thursday aimed at reassuring Americans that he is determined to stem the economic crisis.



Reuters - Three rockets fired from Lebanon exploded in northern Israel on Thursday, the first since the Jewish state launched an offensive in Gaza two weeks ago, Israeli police said.

A share trader reacts while checking share prices in front of the German share price index DAX board at the German stock exchange in Frankfurt, December 18, 2008. (Kai Pfaffenbach/Reuters)Reuters - A fresh wave of profit warnings and job cuts soured investor sentiment on Thursday after an employment report suggested U.S. job losses in December could be the worst in almost 60 years.



Senate-designate Roland Burris talks with Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid in Reid's office on Capitol Hill, January 7, 2009. (Larry Downing/Reuters)Reuters - In an abrupt switch, Democratic leaders began talks on Wednesday to swear in Roland Burris, appointed by embattled Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich to replace President-elect Barack Obama in the U.S. Senate.



President Bush greets President-elect Barack Obama at the White House, November 10, 2008. (Joshua Roberts/Reuters)Reuters - The U.S. budget deficit will swell to a record $1.186 trillion in fiscal 2009, congressional forecasters said on Wednesday, the result of an economic recession that has cut tax receipts and caused massive government bailouts of banks and automakers.



Reuters - U.S. cities are vulnerable to an attack like the gun-and-grenade assault that terrorized Mumbai for three days and killed 179 people, the White House homeland security adviser said on Wednesday.

Ali al-Marri, who has been held for 5-1/2 years at a U.S. military prison in South Carolina, is seen in this undated photograph released to Reuters on January 6, 2008. An early test for President-elect Barack Obama will be the case of suspected al Qaeda 'sleeper' agent Marri, which will force Obama to take a position on his predecessor's claim that anyone the president deems a national security threat can be imprisoned indefinitely without charges in the United States. (Handout/Reuters)Reuters - The case of Ali al-Marri, accused of being an al Qaeda "sleeper" agent and held for 5-1/2 years at a U.S. military prison in South Carolina, will be an early test for President-elect Barack Obama.



Three to four rockets hit northern Israel from Lebanon early Thursday, military sources told AFP.(AFP)AFP - Four rockets hit northern Israel from Lebanon early Thursday, military sources told AFP.



A Palestinian protestor flashes the V for 'victory' sign in front of an Israeli soldier near Damascus Gate in Jerusalem's old city. Israeli warplanes bombed suspected arms-smuggling tunnels in southern Gaza early Thursday, as diplomats worked to secure a ceasefire in an offensive that has killed 700 Palestinians.(AFP/Ahmad Gharabli)AFP - Israeli warplanes bombed suspected arms-smuggling tunnels in southern Gaza early Thursday, as diplomats worked to secure a ceasefire in an offensive that has killed 700 Palestinians.




Full Disclosure

Direct Answers - Column for the week of April 21, 2003I hope... Read More

Showing Your Appreciation - How To Make Others Feel Special

"There are fine things which you mean to do someday, under what... Read More

Revenge in the End is Bitter Sweet

We ALL think or have thought about it at one time or... Read More

Psychic Sponge Syndrome: The Easy Inner-Centrifuge Remedy

Here's a nifty trick to use to clear yourself of any psychic... Read More

A Prison Cell?

Do you have a goal? A focus in life? Have you invested... Read More

The Minds Fancy Dress Party -Or- A Brainstorming Session

In Berlin a restaurant opens for anorexics and in Buffalo a lawyer... Read More

Dare To Dream

The rewards of life come to those who do, not to those... Read More

Live After 40

"For man, as a specie, and unlike other inhabitants of the globe,... Read More

Who Is Wallace Wattles and Why Is He One of My Mentors and Heroes?

Who is Wallace Wattles? Wallace D. Wattles died over 90 years ago... Read More

Just a Typical Teenage Boy

Judge not, lest ye be judged. ?Matthew 7:1The call was controversial-just as... Read More

Self-Validation: Living an Empowered Life

Sometimes we are concerned with being right and we don't stop to... Read More

Tim McGraw had it Right - Live Like You Are Dying!

Chorus: An' he said: "I went ski diving, I went rocky mountain... Read More

A Life Touched

Direct Answers - Column for the week of February 17, 2003Back when... Read More

The Two Choices We Face

Each of us has two distinct choices to make about what we... Read More

Life is Art

In my years teaching people to be successful, I have seen that... Read More

Charge Your Imagination (2)

As year 2004 winds up and professionals and corporate bodies plot strategies... Read More

Top 15 Inspirational Quotations

Get inspired and lift your spirits with these positive quotations that will... Read More

Walking The Walk

Direct Answers - Column for the week of July 14, 2003I have... Read More

Embracing Your Wildness

As small children, we were all wild. Not unlike the wolf pup... Read More

Winning the Thought Battle

If you have read my articles or heard me speak, you know... Read More

Save the Planet with Your Joy!

Your own level of frequency raises or lowers the overall frequency of... Read More

Nurture Your Heart

Pregnant with her first child, Jill could barely contain her excitement over... Read More

Summertime - Take Time To Smell The Roses

I AM SO GRATEFUL for the time to smell the roses. Lying... Read More

It Wont Happen Again

Have you or do you know someone who has been abused or... Read More

A New Strategy

Direct Answers - Column for the week of November 3, 2003My mother-in-law... Read More

Care And Maintenance Of The Human Hard Drive

The human brain is very much like a hard drive. If you... Read More

You Reap What You Sow

There is an old principle: You reap what you sow. In fact,... Read More

Its A Brand New Day

Waking up one day and realizing your world just isn't working for... Read More

The Dead

Direct Answers - Column for the week of February 9, 2004I love... Read More

Leading a World Class Life

Every four years the world is given the gift of the Olympics.... Read More

Dolphin Figurines evoke images of wild dolphins: How Do Dolphins Communicate?

Researchers are seeking to identify how dolphins communicate. Unfortunately it is like... Read More

Even the Smallest Sound

You are probably in front of your computer screen at this very... Read More

H-U-G-S -------The More You Give----The More You Get!

How many of us couldn't use a hug on a daily basis----------well,... Read More

Faith Like a Child

Jonathan:¡§This is my brother, Jonathan¡¨. They walked into the room together, one... Read More

Take Action and Make a Better World

Albert Einstein is quoted as having said, "the world is a dangerous... Read More

Thoughts Are Like Seeds - Are You Planting Flowers or Weeds?

"You can't harvest what you don't sow. So plant your desires, gently... Read More

Four Words that Make Life Worthwhile

Over the years as I've sought out ideas, principles and strategies to... Read More

Life After Death: The Story of the Green Donkey

This is the true story of what Deepak Chopra would call a... Read More

Listening to Your Inner Voice May Save Your Life

"I was washing my breakfast dishes one morning when it occurred to... Read More

Anamchara - Making Sense of Life

Many successful persons advise you start your day with a list of... Read More

Living Profoundly

When you realize that you really want to have an impact in... Read More

Are You Really Living Your Life Today!

Yesterday I was but a child, looking. Looking ahead at a world... Read More

How Would YOU React To Tragedy Like This?

The true story I'm about to share will have a profound impact... Read More

Everyone Has Been Hurt... Part 4

Continued...After that I stayed with him still and when he would hit... Read More

Financial Freedom Blues

Steps to Financial Freedom, roadmap to financial freedom, achieve financial freedom?Financial freedom... Read More

TIES that BIND

I have no idea how it started or who launched it. Nevertheless... Read More

Change Begins With Choice

Any day we wish we can discipline ourselves to change it all.... Read More